Method and apparatus for toothbrush and flossing

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including a cover, a tooth brush device, and a flossing device. The cover may be configured to be attached or detached from the tooth brush device such that when attached, the cover covers the flossing device and prevents the flossing device from being used for flossing, and when detached, the cover allows the flossing device to be used for flossing. The flossing device may include first and/or second detachable flossing sections, which can be detached from or attached to the rest of the flossing device. The cover may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with an inner chamber in which the flossing device resides when the cover is attached to the toothbrush device. The cover may be attached to the toothbrush device, such that the cover and a portion of the apparatus which is not part of the cover, prevent air from entering the inner chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/230,739, titled “‘2 in one’ manual and electric”filed on Jun. 15, 2015, inventor Florentina A. Galla.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerningtoothbrushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various patents which disclose a combination of a tooth brushand a flossing device, such as for example Kupperman et al., U.S. Pat.No. 4,016,891, and Chen, U.S. design Pat. No. D283,761. However, thedevices disclosed in these patents are not adequate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising a cover,a tooth brush device, and a flossing device. The cover may be configuredto be attached or detached from the tooth brush device such that whenattached, the cover covers the flossing device and prevents the flossingdevice from being used for flossing, and when detached, the cover allowsthe flossing device to be used for flossing.

The tooth brush device may have a proximal end and a distal end. Theflossing device may have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximalend of the tooth brush device may be fixed to the proximal end of theflossing device. The flossing device may include a first detachableflossing section, which can be detached from or attached to the rest ofthe flossing device.

The first detachable flossing section may include a first flossingstring having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the firstend of the first flossing string is attached to an end of a first postand the second end of the first flossing string is attached to an end ofa second post. The flossing device may include a second detachableflossing section, spaced apart from the first detachable flossingsection, which can be detached from or attached to the rest of theflossing device.

The first detachable flossing section may include a first flossingstring having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the firstend of the first flossing string is attached to an end of a first postand the second end of the first flossing string is attached to an end ofa second post; and the second detachable flossing section may include asecond flossing string having a first end and an opposing second end,wherein the first end of the second flossing string is attached to anend of a third post and the second end of the second flossing string isattached to an end of a fourth post.

The cover may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with an innerchamber in which the flossing device resides when the cover is attachedto the toothbrush device. The cover may be substantially aligned with anelongated body portion of the toothbrush device, when the cover isattached to the toothbrush device, so that the cover can be used as ahandle, when attached to the toothbrush device to brush an individual'steeth.

In at least one embodiment, the cover may be attached to the toothbrushdevice, the cover and a portion of the apparatus which is not part ofthe cover, provide an airtight seal, preventing air from entering aninner chamber defined by the cover and the portion, wherein the flossingdevice resides in the inner chamber.

In at least one embodiment, a method is provided which may include thesteps of using a tooth brush device of an apparatus to brush anindividual's teeth; and using a flossing device of the apparatus tofloss the individual's teeth. The apparatus may be configured aspreviously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top, front, and right side perspective view of anapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top, front, and right side perspective view of a firstportion of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a top, front, and right side perspective view of a cover orsecond portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top, front, and right side perspective view of anapparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 shows a top, front, and right side perspective view of a firstportion 2 of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a top, front, andright side perspective view of a cover or second portion 40 of theapparatus 1 of FIG. 1.

The apparatus 1 includes first portion 2 shown in FIG. 2 and secondportion or cover 40 shown in FIG. 3

Referring to FIG. 2, the first portion 2 includes members 6, 8, 10, 12,cap 14, member 16, circular member or balls 18 and 24, member 30, andcircular member or ball 32.

The first portion 2 also includes posts 20, 22, 26, 27, 34, and 36. Theposts 20 and 22 are attached to opposing sides of ball 18, so that posts20 and 22 can be detached from ball 18. The posts 26 and 27 are attachedto opposing sides of ball 24, so that posts 26 and 27 can be detachedfrom ball 24. The first portion 2 also includes a piece of floss orstring 21 having a first end fixed to an end of post 20 and a second endfixed to an end of post 22. The first portion 2 also includes a piece offloss or string 28 having a first end fixed to an end of post 26 and asecond end fixed to an end of post 27. The first portion 2 also includesa piece of floss or string 35 having a first end fixed to an end of post34 and a second end fixed to an end of post 36.

The first portion 2 also includes a plurality of bristles 4, includingbristle 4 a, each bristle having elongated, and having a first end fixedto member 6 and protruding out from surface 6 a, to an opposing freesecond end.

The members 6, 8, 10, and 12 may be made of hard, rigid plastic. Thebristles 4, members 6, 8, 10, and 12, which may be considered atoothbrush device 3, may be or may be replaced by any known toothbrush,manual or electric.

The cap 14 may be made of hard, rigid plastic, and may be fixed to themember 12 so that the cap 14 cannot be changed in orientation withrespect to the member 12. The member 16 may be fixed substantiallycentrally to an inside surface 14 a of the cap 14.

The ball 18 may be a hard plastic ball, or may be a rubber ball, and maybe fixed to the member 16. The ball 24 may be a hard plastic ball or arubber ball, and may be fixed to the ball 18. The member 30 may beelongated hard plastic rod, and may be fixed at one end to the ball 24and at an opposing end to the ball 32. The ball 32 may be a hard plasticball or a rubber ball.

The posts or rods 20 and 22 may be attached in the upright positionshown to the ball 18, such that the posts or rods 20 and 22 areperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the member or rod 30.Similarly, the posts or rods 26 and 27 may be attached in the uprightposition shown to the ball 24, such that the posts or rods 26 and 27 areperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the member or rod 30.Similarly, the posts or rods 34 and 36 may be attached in the uprightposition shown to the ball 32, such that the posts or rods 34 and 36 areperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the member or rod 30.

The combination of the cap 14, member 16, balls 18, 24, 32, posts 20,22, 26, and 27, strings or floss 21, 28, and 35, and rod 30, may beconsidered a floss device 5.

In operation, the apparatus 1 may be used for brushing teeth, by a userholding the handle 40, while the handle is connected to floss device 5as in FIG. 1, and a user brushing his or her teeth using bristles 4.

The user may use the floss device 5, while it is connected to the toothbrush device 3, after separating the cover 40 from the rest of theapparatus 1 as in FIG. 2. The user may use any of floss strings 21, 28,and 35 to floss a space between two of his or her teeth.

The tooth brush device 3 may have a length of L1, shown in FIG. 1, whichmay be about three inches. The floss device 5 may have a length of L2,shown in FIG. 1, which may be about four inches. The cover 40 may have alength of L3, shown in FIG. 3, which may be slightly less than fourinches. The cover 40 may have an opening at end 40 a and a closed end 40b to prevent germs from getting on the floss device 5, such as on flossstrings 21, 28, and 35.

The posts 20 and 22 may be able to be attached to or detached from theball 18 such as by Velcro (trademarked) or by any other means so thatthe posts 20 and 22, and string 21 can be replaced with new posts andnew floss string as needed. Posts 20 and 22 may snap off or on ball 18.

Similarly, the posts 26 and 27 may be able to be attached to or detachedfrom the ball 24 such as by Velcro (trademarked) or by any other meansso that the posts 26 and 27, and string 28 can be replaced with newposts and new floss string as needed. Posts 26 and 27 may snap off or onball 24.

Similarly, the posts 34 and 36 may be able to be attached to or detachedfrom the ball 32 such as by Velcro (trademarked) or by any other meansso that the posts 34 and 36, and string 35 can be replaced with newposts and new floss string as needed. Posts 34 and 36 may snap off or onball 32.

Additional posts and floss string combinations, similar to 20, 22, and21, can be attached to a package for apparatus 1, and provided withapparatus 1.

The members 16 is fixed to cap 14 which is fixed to member 12. The cover40 can be snapped into cap 14 or screwed into cap 14, attached to cap 14in any other way, to typically allow the cap to be attached anddetached.

The cover 40 functions as a convenient handle for an individual usingthe tooth brush device (including bristles 4 and members 6, 8, 10) tobrush the individual's teeth, when the cover 40 is attached as shown inFIG. 1. In addition, the cover 40 functions as an airtight seal toprevent air, debris, or germs from entering an inner chamber defined bythe cover 40 and the cap 14, in which the flossing device (whichincludes components 16, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 18, 24, 30, 34, 35, 36,and 32) resides in the configuration or state of FIG. 1. The cover 40may be, for example, transparent or opaque, such that the flossingdevice components may not be able to be seen in FIG. 1.

Each of the combination of posts 20, 22, and string 21, the combinationof posts 26 28, and string 27, and the combination of posts 34, 36, andstring 35 may be called a flossing section. The flossing sections arearranged so that they can satisfy adults or children's needs.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a cover; a tooth brush device; aflossing device; wherein the cover is configured to be attached ordetached from the tooth brush device such that when attached, the covercovers the flossing device and prevents the flossing device from beingused for flossing, and when detached, the cover allows the flossingdevice to be used for flossing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thetooth brush device has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein theflossing device has a proximal end and a distal end; and wherein theproximal end of the tooth brush device is fixed to the proximal end ofthe flossing device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flossingdevice includes a first detachable flossing section, which can bedetached from or attached to the rest of the flossing device.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first detachable flossing sectionincludes a first flossing string having a first end and an opposingsecond end, wherein the first end of the first flossing string isattached to an end of a first post and the second end of the firstflossing string is attached to an end of a second post.
 5. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein the flossing device includes a second detachableflossing section, spaced apart from the first detachable flossingsection, which can be detached from or attached to the rest of theflossing device.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the firstdetachable flossing section includes a first flossing string having afirst end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end of the firstflossing string is attached to an end of a first post and the second endof the first flossing string is attached to an end of a second post; andthe second detachable flossing section includes a second flossing stringhaving a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end ofthe second flossing string is attached to an end of a third post and thesecond end of the second flossing string is attached to an end of afourth post.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover has asubstantially cylindrical shape, with an inner chamber in which theflossing device resides when the cover is attached to the toothbrushdevice.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cover is substantiallyaligned with an elongated body portion of the toothbrush device, whenthe cover is attached to the toothbrush device, so that the cover can beused as a handle, when attached to the toothbrush device to brush anindividual's teeth.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the coveris attached to the toothbrush device, the cover and a portion of theapparatus which is not part of the cover, provide an airtight seal,preventing air from entering an inner chamber defined by the cover andthe portion, wherein the flossing device resides in the inner chamber.10. A method comprising the steps of: using a tooth brush device of anapparatus to brush an individual's teeth; using a flossing device of theapparatus to floss the individual's teeth; wherein the apparatusincludes a cover; wherein the cover is configured to be attached ordetached from the tooth brush device such that when attached, the covercovers the flossing device and prevents the flossing device from beingused for flossing, and when detached, the cover allows the flossingdevice to be used for flossing.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein thetooth brush device has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein theflossing device has a proximal end and a distal end; and wherein theproximal end of the tooth brush device is fixed to the proximal end ofthe flossing device.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the flossingdevice includes a first detachable flossing section, which can bedetached from or attached to the rest of the flossing device.
 13. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the first detachable flossing sectionincludes a first flossing string having a first end and an opposingsecond end, wherein the first end of the first flossing string isattached to an end of a first post and the second end of the firstflossing string is attached to an end of a second post.
 14. The methodof claim 13 wherein the flossing device includes a second detachableflossing section, spaced apart from the first detachable flossingsection, which can be detached from or attached to the rest of theflossing device.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first detachableflossing section includes a first flossing string having a first end andan opposing second end, wherein the first end of the first flossingstring is attached to an end of a first post and the second end of thefirst flossing string is attached to an end of a second post; and thesecond detachable flossing section includes a second flossing stringhaving a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end ofthe second flossing string is attached to an end of a third post and thesecond end of the second flossing string is attached to an end of afourth post.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the cover has asubstantially cylindrical shape, with an inner chamber in which theflossing device resides when the cover is attached to the toothbrushdevice.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the cover is substantiallyaligned with an elongated body portion of the toothbrush device, whenthe cover is attached to the toothbrush device, so that the cover can beused as a handle, when attached to the toothbrush device to brush anindividual's teeth.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein when the cover isattached to the toothbrush device, the cover and a portion of theapparatus which is not part of the cover, provide an airtight seal,preventing air from entering an inner chamber defined by the cover andthe portion, wherein the flossing device resides in the inner chamber.